Students who truly want to earn college scholarships should start early in their freshman year by doing the things that set them apart from everyone else. Nearly everyone applying for scholarships has good grades and, more than likely, good SAT/ACT scores. To gain the competitive advantage they need, students must assess what makes them special and capitalize on these achievements and qualifications. For example, have you made a contribution to your school or community? Have you stepped forward as a leader? Make a conscious effort to show who you are and what makes you special. It is also helpful to consider any unique skills that you may have which may be supported by associations or groups. These groups may offer scholarships. There may be a smaller pool of applicants for flute players, for example, than for volleyball players.

Even if you are a top student and have great grades, do not depend on anyone else to help you earn a scholarship - go after the scholarship yourself! Counselors, teachers, and schools don't have the time or the manpower to help everyone. Work on scholarships long before your senior year. The longer you put it off, the harder it will be to finish. Most importantly, don't slack off during your senior year! In fact, work diligently and take classes that you know will be challenging; they will provide you with a good taste of college courses and make your transition into college easier and more attainable.

All the paperwork for entering college is overwhelming. Make sure that your application adequately reflects all that you have accomplished during high school; do not omit details that you think may not be important. You never know what weight your accomplishments may have in earning you a scholarship. Apply for every scholarship in which you are eligible. Get an extra file or notebook for general information and tracking scholarship applications.

Sending in your college application early is a good decision. You can then focus on your schoolwork and keep your grades up while your friends are struggling to write essays and complete their applications. Even if you don't apply for early decision or early action, it helps to send in your applications early!

An important tip to remember when filling out applications; the very last thing to do before sending in your application is to sit down and read it, asking this one question: "What are they going to know about me from what I have presented to them?" Then you can add information that will target what admissions officers are likely looking for! Do not underestimate the importance of this step. It can make the difference in your acceptance to the school of your choice or in getting that scholarship that you really need and want!

The essay is one of the most important factors in college admissions, but it will require more effort than most other aspects of the application process. Begin to think about the essay well before it is time to write it. Be sure you continue to perfect your writing skills in the lower grades of high school and seek help when you need it. Being able to express yourself using proper grammar, usage, and descriptors is essential.

Your high school counselor is a great source of helpful information, but you have to do your own research, too. Whether you come from a fairly small high school or a very large one, your councilor is likely very busy. Make the most of the time you do get with him or her. It is likely that your counselor will be more motivated to help the students who show motivation on their own. Be pro-active and follow through.

Keep a separate file or notebook of what you have done for each college. If you apply to several schools, you can become easily confused about what you did or did not send, especially when you receive requests for many different forms or additional information if what you sent previously was inadequate or lost. File your notes and pictures from your college visits with this documentation to refresh your memory.

Always keep extra transcripts on hand to use for scholarship applications. Keep your student information organized and search for scholarships on your own. You know more about your qualifications than the counselors do, so don't rely solely on them to find scholarships that match your credentials. Do some digging on your own.

Keep a folder with copies of transcripts, awards, letters of recommendation and acceptance letters, etc. Being able to easily access the information that scholarship applications typically require will make the process less stressful. Keep all your applications with an addressed envelope and marked with their deadline dates. Keep the folder with you and work on the applications in your spare time. Organization is the key to minimizing the stress of balancing academic priorities with the demands of the college application process.

Usually colleges ask you to write your autobiography in the space of about 500 words or less. Sometimes colleges will give you a choice of topics, such as your personal hero, a memorable experience, a mistake that taught you an important lesson, etc. There may also be several shorter questions asking you to write about your favorite extracurricular activity, the impact of a certain book, or why you have chosen to apply to this college.

Scholarship essays are EXTREMELY important. Often, a well written piece can give you the edge over other competitors. The goal of the essay is to make yourself look good and to demonstrate that you have the ability to balance school, extra-curricular activities, and community service as well. Instead of focusing primarily on why you are the most qualified candidate, stress the lessons you have learned through being a balanced student. Tell the scholarship committee that being an athlete, a student council officer, a band member, a food bank volunteer, and still maintaining a 4.0 grade point average have been difficult, but that the self-discipline and lessons in prioritizing that you have learned were well worth your hard work.

Add a little humility to the mix. Admissions committees are not always wowed by Mr. BMOC or Miss Prom Queen. Your ability to create solid relationships is an excellent reflection of your depth of character. In college, the successful student isn't the one who is too serious to laugh or relax, but the one who will study diligently but find the time to have friends and to cultivate personal relationships. Being well-rounded, motivated, and authentic will serve you well.

When that first college letter arrives, take the time to find out about that college. See what programs are offered and what student life is like. If you find something appealing, make an appointment to visit that college. Be sure to take a camera and a notebook and document your likes and dislikes. Ask specific questions of students you meet. When you're done visiting, save your information in separate notebooks or files for each college so that you can revisit ALL of your potential college choices and weigh your options.

Narrow your choices to six colleges or universities. Incoming pamphlets and paperwork can overwhelm you, so save time searching for information by keeping your files in order. Being organized yourself will also help keep your impressions of each college separate. This will save energy for other things. Carefully consider the choice that will best meet your overall goals, deliver what you really want in a college experience, and fit into the family budget. Remember that you can always start at a smaller college and transfer to a larger school if you decide that you will be better served in the long run by doing so.

College applications continue to increase each year, so it is not surprising that the acceptance rates at many selective schools continue to drop. You may want to increase your chances of being accepted by hiring an admissions consultant to help you select the schools that are best suited to your unique needs and interests. Roughly 50% of all college freshmen will drop out of school or transfer to a different school to finish their college educations. In the vast majority of these cases, the primary cause of the drop out is a less-than-perfect match between student and college.

Your admissions consultant should have the knowledge and experience to help you formulate an admissions strategy that will highlight your unique strengths and minimize your particular weaknesses. Admission is part science and part art. You should invest only in an admissions consultant who can tailor a custom strategy for you. Your consultant should

• help you brainstorm for essay and personal statement topics
  
• provide guidance on how to approach potential references and coach you on what information should be included in any letters of reference
  
• review your essays and personal statements for content and grammar and look over your applications before they are submitted to your top-choice colleges
  
• prepare you for your admissions interviews and help you go over your admissions and financial aid options after you have received the schools' decisions
  
  

High school students visiting colleges should try to blend in to the campus surroundings and get a feel for the pulse of the academic community. Campus tours are informational and usually put a positive spin on campus life, but take some time to wander around by yourself. Even on a large campus, most students are more than willing to help you find your way around and answer questions. You're more likely to get an honest answer and you'll learn a lot more about the campus environment that way.

Visiting colleges can also give you a clearer idea of what you want to major in. Areas of concentration are usually evident, and you can learn much by visiting resource centers and the library. College visits can be very rewarding, even if you don’t know exactly what your goals are. You will get a realistic campus overview and a better feel for how the college suits your expectations and meets your needs. Can you visualize yourself as part of the student body on that particular campus? Trust your instincts here.

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